Hayden christens Indy road circuit

From the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Whether at 40 mph or 150 mph, 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden was thrilled with his view of the new road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that will be used at the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP.

Hayden, from Owensboro, KY, christened the 16-turn, 2.620-mile circuit at IMS on two motorcycles Monday, a 1909 Indian that raced in the first motor race at IMS in 1909 and a 2008 Honda CBR1000RR production bike. He will join his fellow MotoGP riders in the first motorcycle race at IMS in 99 years on Sept. 12-14.

“It was pretty unique and quite an honour to be the first guy around the new track here at the famous Speedway,” Hayden said. “It was exciting to be here and be a part of it."

Hayden did his part Monday. He walked from the Bombardier Learjet Pagoda under sunny skies, dressed in 1909 period costume of a leather helmet, goggles, blue-and-green sweater with “Indianapolis Speedway” sewn in script on the back, knickers and leather riding boots, to ride the 1909 Indian.

After carefully listening to instructions from the IMS Hall of Fame Museum staff about the unique controls of the vintage bike, Hayden pulled away to applause for one lap around the circuit, reaching a top speed of approximately 40 mph.

“When they first fired it up, I thought, ‘Man, what did I get myself into here?’” Hayden said. “When she fired up, I wasn’t ready for all that throttle going like this. But it was really cool. The backward brake was like from my bicycle back in the day.

“Those guys were men. I can’t imagine racing that bike around here.”

Hayden then changed into a special set of white Repsol Honda leathers and his racing helmet and boots, emerging from the Pagoda to fire up the high-performance Honda production bike. He turned numerous laps of the circuit at speed, reaching approximately 150 mph on the front straight. Hayden estimates his Repsol Honda Team MotoGP bike will reach 200 mph on the front straightaway during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.

“When I saw the track map, I didn’t realize how quick the front straightway is,” Hayden said. “It’s a long straightaway; it’s going to be quick. You’re going to need some ponies.

“My initial impression (of the circuit) was great. I didn’t see any concerns. I’ll be excited to get
the GP bike out there.”